radiantlightxx

[radiantlightxx]

Some thoughts on my Warden, Vanya, and how her appearance changes over the years! I hurt myself while making this 😭 I think I could've pushed her blighted appearance in VG more, BUT I think Avernus's research helps slow things until the Evanuris unleash the mega-blight. And comparing her Origins appearance with her Veilguard appearance feels like a stark enough difference for me.

Some close ups under the cut!

[radiantlightxx]

"By your side, I would willingly storm the gates of the Dark City itself. Do not doubt it."

[radiantlightxx]

reminders for today:

if you or someone you know might need it in the next few years, purchase plan b. the shelf life of plan b is 4 years, and we might not be able to access it as easily as we can now in the days ahead.

if you are larger/plus size: go online and purchase ella instead of plan b. plan b is less effective if you aren’t under 160 pounds.

if you can, purchase books that project 2025 is looking to ban.

mass deportations are starting. if you see ice vehicles or agents, yell ice raid and la migra as loud as you can.

if someone asks who you voted for, keep your mouth shut. they’re fishing for traitors.

if anyone, anyone at all asks about your neighbors or their legal status in the us, you know nothing. don’t be the reason that their family is separated.

if anyone asks about your religion or lack thereof, keep it vague. this administration will look for any excuse to persecute you.

your friends are trans or queer? for the next four years they’re not. don’t expose anyone’s status as a trans or queer person to anyone else, even if you think you can trust them.

did someone you know get an abortion? no, they didn’t. they were never pregnant.

in short, don’t be a snitch, and keep to yourself these next four years. we’ll make it through this even if it seems hopeless at times.

this is all i can think of at the moment, but i’ll be adding on to this as the day continues.

we can survive this. we’ve survived before, and we’ll survive again.

[radiantlightxx]

Personally, I feel that Lucanis DOES have a suave and flirty side to him (pantry scene style) but it doesn’t come out again until the relationship with Rook settles even deeper post-game.

My headcanon is that he is the type of person to give Rook A TON of space to process all the events they went through over the course of the game. He doesn’t want to overwhelm them with reciprocating grand romantic moves after huge amount of trauma that comes with killing gods and ending a mega blight. Rook offered the same space for him during his own internal battles. He would be content if he never does anything as outwardly flirty as a wall press ever again if I meant that it made Rook uncomfortable in any way.

Yet, the second that Rook dips their toes into a romantic mood then boy oh boy Lucanis would be off to the races. All the classic stuff like dipping them into a kiss or inviting them to dance while he holds a rose in his teeth. The man would go into total Gomez Addams mode for Rook. (We have all seen the scrapped romance storyboards like cmon those are sooooo romantic)

It’s a delicate dance for him, letting Rook take the lead in creating an opening for him to express this strongly emotional side of him. Yet it’s part of the thrill of being in a relationship with Rook, and he is always up for the challenge if it means he gets to pour his love into them.

[radiantlightxx]

26. A letter to Rook from Serafina, House Veritas

This letter is written on expensive parchment in an ornate hand. The silver seal adorning the envelope bears a stylized 'V' on a corvid's breast, the crest of House Veritas.

Cattivella mio,

It's about time I heard from you. Nearly a year without a visit? Nary a letter? Not even so much a as a message delivered through Andarateia?? Spare me the excuses - I know you've kept in touch with the Seventh Talon. She speaks of you fondly. Had she not kept me apprised of your continued antics, I might have thought you no longer drew breath. I've lost sleep over it, Vas'ii. Pictured your bones picked clean by fish and strewn at the bottom of the canals.

I jest. Mostly. I should have known you'd find your way -- you've always been a stubborn little thing.

If you think these words are writ in anger, I pray you hear them instead uttered in affection, Vas'ii. I am happy to hear that you've been keeping well.

You were hurt when the Fifth Talon sent you away from Treviso after your confrontation with the Antaam -- and hurt more still when I did not move to stop him. You've danced around the edges of Crow business long enough to know that it is like a spider's web -- difficult to navigate, easy to get caught up in. Even a little movement can cause a shockwave and bring danger right to your doorstep.

And what you did? It was not little, bambina.

The Crows are in a fragile state. There is change on the wing, and not every house is happy to see us eschew business as usual to fight for Trevisan freedom. Indeed, some Guildmasters attempted to use your well-intentioned misstep to undermine not only House de Riva, but the entire movement against the Antaam. And still others called for your blood as payment for the foiled operation against the Qunari.

That is the reason Viago sent you away. Since he will not admit it to you, allow me to do it for him. And that is also the reason I couldn't ask him not to.

Even so...I know your heart was in the right place. It always is, Vas'ii. And aren't I the foolish old woman who always told you to follow that heart? Perhaps the folly, then, is mine. Such sentiment directly contradicts so much of what I was taught when I trained to be a Crow as a young woman. But it was your brave, foolish, hopeful heart that made me take you in all those years ago, and it was the same heart that made me hope for a better future than the Crows for you. Even now, I know that it will not steer you wrong.

And speaking of matters of the heart...

Andarateia tells me that you and Lucanis Dellamorte have been exchanging -- and I quote the Seventh Talon here -- "yearning, impassioned glances whenever they think the other isn't looking."

I confess, I smile to picture it, though I can hardly imagine either of you doing such things -- and yes, I know the Demon of Vyrantium well enough to try. I've been entrusted with his contract negotiations for years now, after all. I don't need to tell you to be careful, but I will anyways.

Lucanis is a Dellamorte, one of the two remaining grandsons of the late First Talon, in case you've forgotten. Caterina was not a woman to be trifled with. You will have even more eyes upon you if you tangle with him, Crow politics being what they are...so tread carefully, Vas'ii. Worth mentioning with the way you always rush headfirst into things.

Now. Matronly advice aside...

Next time you are in Treviso, let us meet for dinner. This is not a request, mind you. It's been too long since I've last seen you, and as much as your recent writing at least hints at your happiness (gods and blight and the burdens of leadership aside), I would be happier to hear it in your voice.

And bring Lucanis along! Since you've apparently hired him, we have to discuss his rates. Killing gods is outside of his usual purview, but given that Viago refers to them as power-hungry ancient mages, I'm sure we can reach an accord. I hope your benefactors have deep pockets. And I would fain see these yearning, impassioned glances in person to determine the depths of your affection myself.

Again, this is not a request.

All my love,

Serafina

---

A note scrawled at the bottom in Rook's handwriting:

Serafina is going to treat this like one of her romance novellas, I just know it. I don't know which would be worse: bringing Lucanis and having to endure Serafina's cat-like grin and pithy quips the entire time, or leaving him at the Lighthouse and inviting her ire. Do I even warn him?

'Oh, hey Lucanis. Did you know your contract negotiator is also the woman who raised me since I was nine? Also I know we haven't spoken about what happened in pantry but she wants you to come to dinner. Too soon?'

Is how I feel about him that obvious??

Shit.

---

An addendum, written in Bellara's tidy print:

Rook, I'm not sure how this letter made it into my room.

But oh, oh! Your guardian is Lucanis's contract negotiator?? And she was the one to bring you into the Crows? And then you got a contract to rescue Lucanis?? Are you sure your life isn't a serial romance? I mean, come on Rook! The plot practically writes itself!

Also... what happened in the pantry?

And...yeah, you are kind of obvious. At least when Lucanis isn't looking. But it's cute!

---

Rook's reply:

Damned wisps.

Nothing happened in the pantry.

That last question was meant to be rhetorical.

But maybe you're right. No one does dramatic stories quite like the Crows. Remind me to tell you about the assassin who ran off with his target in Ferelden, and then returned to Antiva to instigate an inter-house rebellion with his lover at his side. Just mentioning his name will have certain guildmasters looking over their shoulders to this day.

Oh, and the lover? None other than the Hero of Ferelden herself. Now there's a plot hook.

[radiantlightxx]

I know it makes you nervous//I promise you, it's worth it 💜

[radiantlightxx]

6. A Summary of Injuries following Keystone Artifact Retrieval & Subsequent Loss

A crumpled note torn from a journal, detailing medical treatment following the incident that saw Rook expelled from the Veil Jumpers. The writing is slanted and messy, as if written quickly; blood has spattered across the edge of the parchment.

Continuing my Veilguard codex entries! I'll be jumping around as inspiration strikes.

Patient: Vas'iira Aldwir

Tending Mage: Irelin Morlyn

Summary of Injuries and Treatment:

Vas'iira sustained a deep laceration spanning from right cheekbone, cutting diagonal away from nose, and extending onto both upper and lower lip, inflicted from either I) metal shards from device explosion, II) arcane shrapnel formed from excessive release of magic, or III) Both.

Spirit healing took care of the worst of it, but the edges of the wound have been affected by whatever magic set the explosion off. The artifact -- or trap? -- seems designed to slow healing, ensuring the unsuspecting victim(s) bleed to death if left untreated. The residual magic (necrotic in nature?) is indeed impeding the mending process. It took more magic to close the wound than it should have and will certainly scar. I recommended Vas'iira keep it covered while the magic knits the flesh over time to prevent reopening. It's slow going.

Still, Vas'iira is lucky. The wound was a nasty piece of work when sustained (I could see her teeth through the cut -- it was truly gruesome), and she was not treated as promptly as I would have preferred, given that she ran back to help our straggling Veil Jumpers. As much as I'm sure she'll regret the scar, she would have regretted losing the others much, much more -- and her actions did undoubtedly save them.

Several smaller lacerations were present and subsequently healed, primarily along Vas'iira's left hand and forearm -- likely sustained when she attempted to shield her face from the blast. These were also slower to heal, but not to the degree that her facial wound was. I theorize that the enchantments on her armor absorbed most of the necrotic magic, and what little remained was dealt with easily enough.

Further injuries included a sprained wrist from taking a hard fall on her way back when leaping from the collapsing pathway. While it has healed, it will be tender for some time; I've recommended she not use her spellblade for a few days. She doesn't seem keen to heed that advice.

A myriad of other bruises will take time to heal, but I've eased their ache as best I could.

I worry more for the wounds that will not -- that cannot -- be healed by magic. Vas'iira is taking Strife's punishment hard -- and though I know his decision to send her away stems from care and worry over her tendency to charge headfirst into danger...I worry about the damage this has already wrought on her.

As soon as Strife told her she needed to step back, I saw a flash of the wounded girl I once knew her to be back when she first began visiting Clan Morlyn each summer. Slow to trust and so defensive. The ghost of a girl still haunted by her parents' abandonment has reappeared some two decades later, thanks to Strife's exile.

Vas'iira is a good veil jumper -- and an even better mage. She doesn't shy from danger, but she handles herself well. I fear we'll be hurting without her expertise and her general good-natured spirit; already there have been dissenting murmurs about Strife's decision.

I've asked him to reconsider -- but he is quite stubborn, and regardless, I fear the damage is already done; Vas'iira is packing her bags even as I finish this summary.

A decade ago, I would've prayed to Ghila'nain to guide her on a safe journey. Now, I hesitate to do so with what blasphemous rumors we've unearthed concerning the Creators in recent years. But I suppose the sentiment still stands.

At the very least, I will be sure to slip some poultices and salves into her bag before she goes. This, at least, is a concrete action I can take to wish her well on whatever path lies before her, prayers aside.

[radiantlightxx]

Senior Character Artist Lauren Kelly: "I created the face for Lucanis Dellamorte in Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Responsible for the highres sculpt, bakes, textures, and wrinkle/tension maps. Blendshapes created by the talented Jill Harrington and EA Create team." [source]

[radiantlightxx]

Gonna try to chip away at the Veilguard codex prompt list here! Starting with the first! Contains some minor spoilers, but nothing extreme if you've played a couple of hours.

1. A letter from Strife about Rook's exile.

A letter from Strife that appeared in Rook's room after rescuing the Dalish in Arlathan. There are several small tears where the writer pressed hard enough to tear the parchment. The uneven flow of ink suggests the letter was written haltingly.

Rook,

I know things have been...strained between us. Irelin has encouraged me to write to you, because we tend to argue when we talk these days unless it's about the problems at hand.

My fault, I know. Though your stubbornness doesn't help. Even if that's something I've always appreciated about you -- I'm a stubborn old bastard, too. Guess it's inevitable that we butt heads now and then. Even halla do it to solve disputes.

But we never really talked things through after the whole map debacle. Tempers ran high. Mostly mine. Losing that artifact was bad. Almost losing half the team on that expedition was worse. And when you disobeyed direct orders to run back in and save them, with no regard for your own safety...

It's not lost on me that Irelin and I have been relying on you to rescue our people now, with the Evanuris loose and the magic in Arlathan more unstable than ever. But that first time, watching you almost kill yourself in an effort to save everyone else... it shook me.

I've watched you grow up over the years, Vas'iira. In so many ways, you remind me of myself. A city elf looking to reclaim lost heritage. I remember the way you looked so lost that first summer Serafina dropped you off in the middle of the clan's camp. But you took to it, even when the other Dalish were slow to warm to you, when the other youth whispered that you were a flat-ear just loud enough for you to hear. You always puffed up like a bobcat, bristling for a fight. You always looked like you had something to prove.

Forgive an old man for waxing nostalgic. What I mean to say is...when I told you to take time away from the Veil Jumpers, I didn't mean for it to be an indefinite exile. I'd just watched you get your face torn open on that expedition, stand up, and run back in. With no regard for your own safety. I meant for you to reflect on why you're so willing to put yourself in harm's way. You're self-destructive, and it's going to get you killed one of these days. And I couldn't have that happen on my watch.

If I had known you were going to fly straight to the Crows after I sent you away...

To say I was spitting mad would be an understatement. Felt like you did it not just to spite me, but yourself, too. After all the time and effort Serafina spent in an attempt to keep you away from that life...it was hard to watch you throw it all away. And boy, did she let me have it. Deservedly so, maybe. But you've always made your own choices. You're an assassin now, and that can't be undone.

Or maybe it can. I hear the Crows are changing. Slowly. Still a poisonous organization. But you have always had a knack for making things better -- even at your own expense.

Guess what I'm trying to say is...if we all survive this mess, if you ever leave the Crows...If you even can leave the Crows...and even if you don't. You will always have a home here in Arlathan. I'm sorry that I made you feel like you didn't.

Strife

-----

Notes:

I ended up smashing the Veil Jumper and Crow origins together for my Rook, so losing the map for the VJs happens before the Crow origins//antaam stuff. Vas'iira was taken in and raised by a Crow (the Serafina mentioned in this letter) as a child. When Serafina grew attached, she tried to keep Rook from formally joining the Crows -- though she did train her as one, albeit with less cruelty than she probably would've gotten as a true fledgeling. Vas'iira joins the Crows pretty late by their standards, but she had an in with Viago and is capable enough to make it work.

[radiantlightxx]

art takes so long and its so tiring but if i dont make art for the rest of my life ill die

[radiantlightxx]

[radiantlightxx]

this wasnt even supposed to get this detailed-- just some fan service for myself that got out of hand

˗ˋˏ ⟡ ˎˊ˗ prints ˗ˋˏ ⟡ ˎˊ˗

[radiantlightxx]

Rook Codex Writing Prompts

A list of 30 writing prompts inspired by other DA codex prompt lists. Contains no plot spoilers for Veilguard.

A letter to Rook about their exile

An entry from Rook’s journal

A letter from Rook to someone in their faction

A note from a companion to Rook about the Lighthouse

A conversation overheard between Rook and a companion

Healer’s summary of treatment for Rook’s wounds

Something written by a character from a previous game about Rook

A future historian’s analysis of Rook’s actions (Bonus: featuring a relevant primary source)

Rook’s shopping list 

Note found in Rook’s pocket

Report summarizing what is known about Rook by an allied or enemy faction

Rook’s daily schedule

A message between two companions about Rook

A letter from a faction leader to a companion about Rook’s actions

Rook’s packing list for travel to a quest location

Letter from Rook to their love interest

Rook’s notes on the Lighthouse/Caretaker

Notes between a companion and Rook regarding a personal quest

Inventory of personal belongings Rook left behind when they left their faction

Something written about Rook on a historical plaque

A letter from an enemy regarding Rook

An entry from an encyclopedia/travel guide about an aspect of Rook’s background (Bonus: followed by a note from Rook supporting or refuting its accuracy)

Excerpt from a play dramatizing Rook’s actions (Bonus: include a review of this play)

A letter from Rook to a faction leader

Notes taken by Rook when they were young/in training

A letter to Rook from a family member or close friend

Analysis of a piece of art created for/about Rook

Propaganda for or against Rook

Something written to Rook post-game

A note/letter that Rook never sent

[radiantlightxx]

A little Solavellan sketch because I'm more stuck on them than ever to be quite honest.

[radiantlightxx]

Dragon Age has been doing a really clever thing with its protagonists and the heroic power fantasy that only fully comes together when you look at the series as a whole, so let’s do another ramble. Under a cut to save your dash.

Origins is a traditional RPG power fantasy. It likes to tell you that it’s not by gesturing at Loghain and alluding to unreliable narratives, but what it shows is the power fantasy. No matter what your warden does, they’re the hero. Are you a casual genocide enthusiast? No problem you can still ride off into the sunset looking for a cure. Also hey you have a critical weakness/flaw (the calling) that kind of dooms you or gives you cause to vaguely ride of into the sunset. Very heroic indeed. There’s a layer of textual interest added by the presence of unreliable narratives, but ultimately it’s the hero’s choices that shape and determine the world and story, right down to very gamified relationships. The origins system itself, the fact that your warden could have been anyone, is the actual textual proof that this isn’t all that’s going on. It just only really gets paid off by later games, and that’s pretty important given where this franchise ended up.

—

Enter DA2. Hawke is a champion, not a hero. Hawke fights for those who can’t fight themselves. Hawke can’t save the world. They can’t even save their family or city. It’s a battle of attrition that sees them somehow worse off no matter what. The still-gamified but now more nuanced and challenging relationships become the focus because they’re really all Hawke has. Now the power fantasy is still lurking around the edges. It’s just challenged at every turn. You can free Kirkwall, but Anders is always going to blow up a church.

—

Which brings us to Inquisition. Somehow, you’re both as much of a nobody as Hawke and you’re responsible for more than the Warden. And it’s miserable. The power fantasy is constantly undermined. No matter who your inquisitor was, by the end of the game they’ve been completely subsumed by their role: turns out power has teeth.

In a move that delivers on the unreliable narrative throughline that Origins established and DA2 strengthened, the Inquisitor must play the hero and save the world. It doesn’t matter if your Inquisitor is a kind person doing their best or a racist power-hungry asshole, and that is now a systemic issue within the world itself. The erosion of your character’s personhood is explicit within the text as characters struggle to see you as more than your role and you’re asked to shape the faith of an entire world even if you don’t share that faith. The cost of this erosion is made incredibly literal with Ameridan’s story and then in Trespasser, where the anchor, both cause and symbol of the Inquisitor’s role and power, is killing them. Relationships become somewhat less gamified but more importantly, you’re given an explicit textual mirror in Solas. He’s there to reflect your behavior but also your loss of personhood to a role. It’s essential that he’s the one to save your life at the end of Trespasser. Even if you’ve never shown him a moment’s grace, here is your mirror to see you as a person one last time.

—

And then there’s Rook. Now we play a mirror to Solas, a character who has been the hero, Mythal’s champion, and a man subsumed by his role/s. He’s really the narrative gift that keeps giving.

We walk the dreadwolf’s path this time, and the dreadwolf is a classic tragic hero. He’s stuck in a story where he must save the world and where a critical flaw will always be his downfall. We’re Varric’s second who must step up to champion his cause after the events of the introduction. And we’re barely keeping ourselves together under the burden of leadership. And here is where Veilguard finally delivers everything this franchise ever promised. Because under all that we’re truly just some guy. Just like Solas is just a guy who got stuck in situations he never wanted. His response was to become the hero or play the villain (depending on the story) because that’s easier. But if Rook can truly choose the ‘hard truth’ that the world is never going to “stay fixed” (oh hi Inquisitor… and Hawke… and Warden) and that other people can have better ideas and make hard calls and their own choices? If we don’t have to ‘win’? Rook can reconcile the inevitable tragedies of this kind of story with their very human needs and escape the story altogether. The cost, of course, is the power fantasy.

[radiantlightxx]

~ chaosmakers ~ and avelin

[radiantlightxx]

don’t trust the apostate 2: reborn